congressman ryan looking to boost the romney campaign's recent rise in the polls tonight. the debates are not usually game changers but analysts say this year could be an exception. carl cameron is fouling the presidential candidate. but, first, to ed henry on road with us here in danville. high stakes for the vice president after the president's performance, in doubt, right? >>reporter: that is right. because of the president's flop this puts more pressure tonight on vice president wide biden. the president, who is campaigning in miami, telephoned the vice president to wish him good luck. democrats are counting on him to shake up the momentum. that is going to an tough task tonight when you talk to political analysts. >> the vice president is going to come out and try to be defensive. the vice president, a strength of his, is his emotion and passion. that is both a positive and sometimes a weakness. you will see him come out and defend the president, not necessarily the debate performance from the other night but he will defend what the president has done. >>reporter: and